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A new Community and Patient Advisory Committee has been created to improve communication between Pharmac and its patients, says Associate Health Minister David Seymour.
“We’ve already transformed how Pharmac interacts with the patient community, now we’re building on what we’ve done, and cementing the change.
“The patient community used to picket outside Pharmac. Patients now have a stronger voice at the table when Pharmac makes its decisions, because that’s important to them.”
Seymour says the Community and Patient Advisory Committee (CPAC) replaces both the Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC), and the Consumer and Patient Working Group.
“When new leadership took over Pharmac they set out to change the culture.
“It was clear that Pharmac could provide a better service for Kiwis. They came up with a five-year plan to take Pharmac to the level Kiwis deserve.
“To inform the plan, Pharmac conducted a number of reviews, engaged with the patient community, and took part in workshops,” Seymour says.
“Earlier this year, the first 12-month phase of that plan was completed. The Consumer Working Group transformed the patient-Pharmac relationship.
“Dr Malcolm Mulholland and all members of the working group did a great job.
“The work done to reset the relationship between Pharmac and the patient community is a big reason for the change in Pharmac’s culture.
“Patients and consumers told us that Pharmac needed to reconsider its consumer advisory function to make sure it continues to work well for patients.
“Day-to-day engagement on Pharmac’s work will be led by Pharmac’s new Consumer Relations team, working directly with consumer and patient advocates on specific issues.
“These changes mean Pharmac can hear from people earlier and more often. The progress so far has been impressive, but there’s more work to be done.
“Listening to the voices of patients and consumers will continue to be at the heart of Pharmac’s work as it launches the next phase of its long-term improvement programme.
“Patients are reaping the benefits. Since this government took over, we’ve allocated Pharmac its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, and a $604 million uplift Pharmac.
“Since December 1, 2023, Pharmac has funded 48 new medicines and widened access to a further 88, with around 767,000 New Zealanders benefitting from the decisions in the first year of funding,” says Seymour.
An interim CAC will advise on the development and establishment of the CPAC, including its terms of reference, engagement approach, and implementation arrangements, he says.
The interim CAC members joining it are co-chair Georgina Johnson, LJ Apaipo, and Pui-yi Cheng.
Seymour says Pharmac will begin recruiting members for the new CPAC in October, with the committee expected to be established in the new year.
The members joining are Dr Mulholland as co-chair, Tim Edmonds, Chris Higgins, and Tracy Tierney.
